honey [azula]

his honor

you're mine.

❉ ╤╤╤╤ ✿ ╤╤╤╤ ❉

AIRI hadn't even properly gotten her day started when Prince Zuko was banished from the Fire Nation. It had been a shock to everyone but Azula, who had seemingly been anticipating the moment her entire life. Airi had accompanied Azula to visit her dishonored brother while he slept, his wound fresh but already healing.

"He looks so much less angry when he's asleep," Azula pointed out, standing at the foot of his bed while he slept.

"Do you think he'll ever return?" Airi asked. She wasn't sure how to feel about the prince's banishment- on one hand, she pitied him enormously, on the other, his presence in the palace wouldn't necessarily be missed.

"To do so, he has to capture the avatar," Azula said, though she thought about it for a moment. "I'm not sure, you know, which is quite unlike me, I'm aware. The avatar hasn't been seen in 100 years, but Zuko is quite determined when there's something he wants. And no doubt he'll want to come back home instead of spending time with all of those peasants out there."

"Is he going alone?" Airi asked, a morbid curiosity of just how cruel the Fire Lord would be to his own son formed in the pit of her stomach.

"Oh no, he's taking a ship, and Iroh," Azula said. She paused, thought, then continued. "And you."

Airi's eyes widened. "Me? Did... why... I... what?"

Azula smirked. It was cruel, full of amusement fueled by her handmaid's confusion. Despite this, Airi couldn't help but admire the princess. "No, Zuko didn't ask for you to go along, I'm asking. You're one of the best fighters I know, after myself of course. I would prefer they not get trampled by ostrich horses the first day they leave port. After all, family is important, is it not?" Azula smirked and Airi blushed.

"Yes, of course, princess," Airi said, bowing her head. Azula sighed.

"And of course, I need someone to make sure they don't steer off course too much. You're loyal to me, Airi, you prove that again and again and again. Uncle Fatso and Zuzu, I can't be sure of. I'll give you a messenger hawk and you can write me about all of the adventures you have," Azula smiled coyly. "Besides, you're far too cooped up here in the palace. You could do with some fresh air."

"Yes, Princess Azula," Airi stammered. "I'll do it."

"Wonderful," Azula smiled slyly at Airi, who felt her heart rate quicken. "Oh, and don't think of trying anything romantic-" Azula gagged the word out- "on my brother." Azula took a step forward and Airi could feel the princess' breath on her face, blowing wisps of her hair around.

Airi would have snorted if Azula wasn't inches away from her face. Not a chance, she thought to herself. "I won't, Princess."

"Good," Azula purred, smirking at Airi. "You're mine."

Airi felt herself blush again, and the rational part of her mind was setting of alarms in its tiny corner of the mind. Not only was it wrong that she felt this way about her friend, and the Princess no less, but Azula was not a good person, Airi knew this first hand. She was cruel, manipulative, narcissistic, possessive. These weren't attractive traits and yet, Airi couldn't help but be drawn in towards them.

"Y-Yes, Azula," she stammered. Azula laughed gleefully at her reaction.

"You're adorable," Azula said. "I will miss you, you know."

"I'll miss you too," Airi replied. "You're my best friend, Azula."

"Of course I am," Azula replied. "Now, go get your things. You'll be on a boat with Prince No-Eye and Uncle Tea Leaf in a few short hours." Azula gestured to the 'Prince No-Eye' in question.